Food, wine fundraiser will benefit Milford shelter

Monday

May 12, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Lindsay CorcoranDaily News Staff

MILFORD – After a winter of exorbitant heating costs, the operator of the Gan Rivkah Center, a women and children’s shelter in Milford, knew she’d need help to keep her doors open.With the shelter at full capacity, Hadassah Rose, who opened the shelter about five years ago, began looking for help to organize a fundraiser to help pay some of the bills that have piled up."I’ve appreciated all the community's help with the goods and food they’ve donated, but we need money to keep going," Rose said. "After this winter, where the heating bill alone was over $2,000 a month, I’m definitely at a critical mass."Keith Usher, one of the co-owners of the Crystal Room, heard Rose’s plea and jumped right in to organize a fundraiser.This Thursday, the Crystal Room is hosting a food and wine pairing event that will include live entertainment, raffles and a silent auction.Sommelier Len Presutti, the Corporate Wine Educator of the Martignetti Companies who was featured at the Boston Wine Expo earlier this year, will be leading an hour-long food and wine pairing seminar at the fundraiser.The $25 ticket to the fundraiser includes the wine, small plates of food and the chance to try and win a variety of donated items, including a Bose radio, a signed Red Sox baseball, a piece of jewelry from Marshall’s Jewelers and prizes from Midtown Family Fitness, Exceptional Limo and Mrs. Sparkle Cleaning.Ed McCarron, who has performed at Crystal Room events before, will return to provide live entertainment.With the help of the Milford National Bank as a sponsor, organizers of the fundraiser are hoping to raise upwards of $5,000.Tickets are available for purchase online at eventbrite.com or by calling the Crystal Room at 508-478-7800. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door, but advanced purchase is recommended. The fundraiser will run from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.Contact Lindsay Corcoran at 508-634-7582 or lcorcoran@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @LacorcMDN.